Worlds

[Bala Verde]

From what I read, Kroon and Gesink are going to be the captains, given their ability to do well on this course. That means most of the others (4-7) are going to be domestiques.

If they start with only 6 riders, that does not necesarrily have to be a disadvantage, because it means you don't have to make the race. Lead, chase, etc, while you could still target the major contenders. I think it's mainly a reputation issue, a fall from grace.

van Vliet about the 6-9



World Ranking by nation

To add to this, the Netherlands just dropped just dropped outside the top 10 (#11) and, if this doesn't improve, they'll have to start with 6 riders only. I don't know if Vuelta results will be added to the rankings, or that there is a cut off date.

 

[Rechtschreibfehler]

When was the last time they did so poorly?
Has this actually ever happened before?

11th...
quiete unbelievable...

 

[Bala Verde]

When was the last time they did so poorly?
Has this actually ever happened before?

11th...
quiete unbelievable...

I don't think ever... (?) That's why everyone up in the cycling hierarchy in the Netherlands is so appalled, and many urged riders to step it up in the TdF. Mind you, the Netherlands have been overtaken by countries (I think) like Luxemburg, Norway and the UK, due to their good results in the past couple of months.

I wonder if Gesink - already the main contributor to the the total nr of points - could increase the total with a good performance in the Vuelta...

 

[Henrik]

The Vuelta doesn't count towards the WCC, I think Poland and San Sebastian is the only places left to pick up points.

It looks like Norway will end as number 10, and get to send 9 riders. I suppose we will ride for Boasson Hagen there, the profile doesn't look like it would fit a rider like Hushovd.

 

[Buninyong Bunny]

Does anyone know if Luxembourg even have 9 professional riders? It would be interesting if some etile club riders got to ride because they got to send that many riders off the back of the Schlecks. I wonder if they would bet the random Iranians and Africans home...

 

[Andre.J]

Gilbert gets my pick.

 

[Hangus78]

Does anyone know if Luxembourg even have 9 professional riders? It would be interesting if some etile club riders got to ride because they got to send that many riders off the back of the Schlecks. I wonder if they would bet the random Iranians and Africans home...

The UCI rules state that:

"However, a nation may not have more riders starting than the total number of its riders classified in the world and continental circuit classifications, except as provided for below."

I've just had a look and in addition to the Schlecks and Kirchen only 4 other Luxembourg riders are classified (Gastauer, Poos, Didier and Heymans). So I think they would only be allowed to start with 7.

 

[Henrik]

Any idea what happens to the two extra spots?

 

[TRDean]

Anyone have an idea where to get a list of different countrys short list of potential riders? Thanks!

 

[blaxland]

The Australian Team Looks Strong and Simon Gerrans Will Win....

 

[auscyclefan94]

The Australian Team Looks Strong and Simon Gerrans Will Win....

we wish... but it does look like a rather hilly course so it may suit gerro. gerro being a classic rider does pack a punch in an uphill finish and has good endurance.I personally think Alejandro Valverde may be hard to beat on this course as he is such a strong climber but is also a very fast finisher. Also mayber somebody like Kim Kirchen could cause the upset. Australia looks like it could be 1 of the big players on this course.
With the tt i have heard hat it is quite hilly so smebody like Leipheimer or Evans may have a chance against Cancellara

 

[issoisso]

Every single Worlds course is just as hilly as this one (Zolder excepted). So, no changes there.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Every single Worlds course is just as hilly as this one (Zolder excepted). So, no changes there.

I think Mendrisio is at anothe level of hillines compared to the last few years. The gradients on the hills seem to be a lot steeper.

 

[issoisso]

I think Mendrisio is at anothe level of hillines compared to the last few years. The gradients on the hills seem to be a lot steeper.

That's just the road course that's harder than the past couple of years

 

[auscyclefan94]

That's just the road course that's harder than the past couple of years

Don't they usually use the same course (except not as many laps) as the road race in the itt?

 

[issoisso]

Don't they usually use the same course (except not as many laps) as the road race in the itt?

Nope. At most there'll be one or two roads in common, but overall it's always a completely different course, designed specifically for the TT

 

[badboyberty]

All the info is here in English:

http://www.mendrisio09.ch/default.asp?nid=4&lid=1

Road loop is very different from ITT

Road is here

ITT is here

ITT is flatter than the road race with only 120m of elevation change per lap (3 laps of 16km), but still looks pretty punchy. Features a half kilometre climb with up to 10% gradients at the half way mark of each lap.

Road circuit has a lot more climbing, should be a real war of attrition.

For the road race, (patriotism may affect my judgement) I'd say Australia should come in as equal second favourites along with to Italy. With Spain as the guys to beat. I'd expect both Luxembourg and Belgium to have riders at the pointy end of things, and Norway and Switzerland will send a small squads that will be hard to ignore.

 

[Bala Verde]

French Pre-Selection Road:

Christophe Le Mével, Anthony Geslin, Sandy Casar (Française des Jeux), Pierrick Fédrigo, Thomas Voeckler, Laurent Lefèvre (Bougyues Telecom), David Le Lay, Maxime Bouet, Brice Feillu (Agritubel), Rémi Pauriol, Amaël Moinard, Christophe Kern (Cofidis), Sylvain Chavanel, Jérôme Pineau (Quick Step), Christophe Riblon (AG2R) and Dimitri Champion (Bretagne-Schuller)

French Selection TT:
Jean-Christophe Péraud (Le Creusot) Jérôme Coppel (Française des Jeux).

Italians, who reconned the lap with Ballerini, on June 22:

Alessandro Ballan, Basso, Cunego, Di Luca, Garzelli, Pozzato, Nibali and Visconti.

I think we can cross out Di Luca though

German Pre-Selection:

Gerald Ciolek, Markus Fothen, Johannes Fröhlinger, Linus Gerdemann, Christian Knees, Fabian Wegmann (Milram), Marcus Burghardt, Bert Grabsch, Andre Greipel, Tony Martin, Marcel Sieberg (Columbia), Simon Geschke (Skil-Shimano), Heinrich Haussler, Martin Reimer (Cervelo), Sebastian Lang (Lotto), Paul Martens, Grischa Niermann (Rabobank), and Jens Voigt (Saxo Bank).

 

[oldtolmieroad]

Simon done 2 laps of the course last week and said he liked it . Who will be on the Australian Team? Go Gerro !

 

[ThisFrenchGuy]

German Pre-Selection:

Heinrich Haussler

So I suppose UCI allows you to ride for two different countries? (As Haussler told he would like to race under Australian colors soon).

 

[Bala Verde]

So I suppose UCI allows you to ride for two different countries? (As Haussler told he would like to race under Australian colors soon).

Yeah, I don't really know. In soccer it's different after you turn what 21 or 23, you are comitted to the team you pick at that time.

Then again, maybe Haussler decided in favour of Germany...

 

[TRDean]

Yeah, I don't really know. In soccer it's different after you turn what 21 or 23, you are comitted to the team you pick at that time.

Then again, maybe Haussler decided in favour of Germany...

I was under the impression that Haussler would start riding for Australia next year...?

 

[issoisso]

Haussler has stated a few times before that he had been informed they want to select him, but he still doesn't care, he wants to ride for Australia, and won't consider Germany.

 

[uphillstruggle]

Yeah, I don't really know. In soccer it's different after you turn what 21 or 23, you are comitted to the team you pick at that time.

Then again, maybe Haussler decided in favour of Germany...

I think the rule is that you cannot have ridden for your former national team for a year but I'm not positive on that.

If he is riding for Germany this year then he has obviously put off plans to ride for the aussies, at least for a while.

 

[TRDean]

I dug this up...

Haussler joined the Cervélo Test Team for the 2009 season and also hinted at a switch to full Australian nationality in order to be able to compete for his country of birth at the 2010 World Championships in Melbourne.

I don't know however, if he has said he will not ride for Germany this year.